Intermediate unit and camera system

ABSTRACT

Provided is an intermediate unit including a first connect unit, a second connect unit, and an information bridge unit. The first connect unit is for connecting a camera unit having a first resolution in one of a spatial direction and a temporal direction. The second connect unit is for connecting a camera control unit for a camera unit having a second resolution lower than the first resolution in one of the spatial direction and the temporal direction. The information bridge unit is interposed between the first connect unit and the second connect unit and configured to bridge information exchanged between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of application Ser. No.16/237,256 which is a Continuation application of application Ser. No.15/813,867, filed Nov. 15, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,257,403 on Apr. 9, 2019, which is a Continuation Application ofapplication Ser. No. 15/210,406, filed on Jul. 14, 2016, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,843,709, on Dec. 12, 2017, which is a ContinuationApplication of application Ser. No. 14/199,474, filed on Mar. 6, 2014,which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,413,929, on Aug. 9, 2016 and whichclaims priority from Japanese Priority Patent Application Number2013-079641, filed in the Japan Patent Office on Apr. 5, 2013, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an intermediate unit and a camerasystem, more particularly, to an intermediate unit interposed between acamera and a camera control unit, and the like.

A broadcast camera system is constituted of an apparatus that forms apair with a camera control unit (CCU) connected to a camera unit (CAM)by a camera cable as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-openNo. 2001-292348, for example. For example, an SD-resolution camera unit(SD-camera) is connected to a camera control unit for an SD-resolutioncamera unit (SD_CCU). Further, an HD-resolution camera unit (HD-camera)is connected to a camera control unit for an HD-resolution camera unit(HD_CCU). As described above, the camera unit and the camera controlunit are structured as a pair.

SUMMARY

From the past, in updating a broadcast camera, it has been necessary toupdate the camera unit and the camera control unit in a pair forintroducing a camera unit of a new format, with the result that highcosts have been required and it has been difficult to realize a mutualexchange with the existing apparatus.

In view of the circumstances as described above, there is a need toreduce costs in introducing a camera unit of a new format.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is providedan intermediate unit, including:

a first connect unit for connecting a camera unit having a firstresolution in one of a spatial direction and a temporal direction;

a second connect unit for connecting a camera control unit for a cameraunit having a second resolution lower than the first resolution in oneof the spatial direction and the temporal direction; and

an information bridge unit that is interposed between the first connectunit and the second connect unit and configured to bridge informationexchanged between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

In this embodiment, the intermediate unit includes the first connectunit and the second connect unit. The first connect unit is a connectunit for connecting the camera unit having the first resolution in thespatial direction or the temporal direction. The second connect unit isa connect unit for connecting the camera control unit for the cameraunit having the second resolution lower than the first resolution in thespatial direction or the temporal direction. For example, the firstresolution may be a 4K resolution, and the second resolution may be anHD resolution. Alternatively, for example, the first resolution may be ahigh frame rate resolution, and the second resolution may be a normalframe rate resolution.

For example, the camera unit is connected to the first connect unit ofthe intermediate unit via a first transmission path such as an opticaltransmission cable. Moreover, the camera control unit is connected tothe second connect unit of the intermediate unit via a secondtransmission path such as an optical transmission cable, for example. Asdescribed above, the camera unit having the first resolution isconnected to the camera control unit for the camera unit having thesecond resolution via the intermediate unit.

The intermediate unit includes the information bridge unit. Theinformation bridge unit is interposed between the first connect unit andthe second connect unit. By the information bridge unit, informationexchanged between the camera unit and the camera control unit isbridged.

For example, the information bridge unit may convert a video signal ofthe first resolution input to the first connect unit from the cameraunit into a video signal of the second resolution and output the signalto the second connect unit. In this case, the information bridge unitmay carry out camera signal processing on the video signal of the firstresolution before the video signal of the first resolution input to thefirst connect unit from the camera unit is converted into the videosignal of the second resolution.

In this case, the intermediate unit may further include a video signaloutput unit configured to externally output the video signal of thefirst resolution that has been subjected to the camera signal processingby the information bridge unit. Further, in this case, the theinformation bridge unit may output a color bar signal corresponding tothe video signal of the first resolution in a state where the videosignal of the first resolution is not supplied to the first connect unitfrom the camera unit.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, for example, the informationbridge unit may mediate a communication related to cameral controlbetween the camera unit and the camera control unit. Alternatively, inthis embodiment, for example, the information bridge unit may mediate apower supply request from the camera unit to the camera control unit.Moreover, in this embodiment, for example, the information bridge unitmay extract a timing signal from a camera control signal input to thesecond connect unit from the camera control unit and control processingtimings of the units based on the timing signal.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, it becomes possible to connect the camera unit having thefirst resolution to the camera control unit for the camera unit havingthe second resolution lower than the first resolution. Therefore, costsin introducing a camera unit of a new format can be reduced.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, costs inintroducing a camera unit of a new format can be reduced. It should benoted that the effect described in the specification is merely anexample and is not limited thereto. In addition, there may be anadditional effect.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of best mode embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing structural examples of a camerasystem (HD-SYSTEM) and a camera system (4K-SYSTEM);

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structural example of a camera system(4K-Hybrid-SYSTEM) as an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structural example of anintermediate unit (4K-BPU);

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection example of a camera unit(Camera), a camera control unit (CCU), and a studio apparatus or mobileunit apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a changeability of the camera system;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another structural example of theintermediate unit (4K-BPU); and

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structural example of a camera system(HFR-Hybrid-SYSTEM).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.Descriptions will be given in the following order.

1. Embodiment

2. Modified example

1. Embodiment

[Structural Example of Camera System]

FIG. 1A shows a structural example of a camera system (HD-SYSTEM) 60.The camera system 60 includes an HD-resolution camera unit (HD_Camera)61 and a camera control unit 62 for an HD-resolution camera unit(HD_CCU) that are connected via an optical camera cable 63 as an HDoptical transmission path.

The optical camera cable 63 is a complex cable incorporating a pair offiber cables, a power supply line, and two control lines and supportstransmission rates of, for example, 1.5 GHz, 3 GHz, and 3.7 GHz. Thecamera control unit 62 carries out video signal processing, a formatconversion, and a distribution output and supports various interfaces. Adedicated optical transmission interface (I/F) is interposed between thecamera unit 61 and the camera control unit 62.

FIG. 1B shows a structural example of a camera system (4K-SYSTEM) 70.The camera system 70 includes a 4K-resolution camera unit (4K_Camera) 71and a camera control unit 72 for a 4K-resolution camera unit (4K_CCU)that are connected via an optical camera cable 73 as a 4K opticaltransmission path.

As the optical camera cable 73, the HD optical camera cable describedabove can be used as it is. It should be noted that optical lasercommunication corresponding to large-scale data is performed, and atransmission rate of, for example, 10 GHz or more is achieved. Thecamera control unit 72 carries out video signal processing, a formatconversion, and a distribution output and supports various interfacessimilar to the HD camera control unit, and also includes a 4K videosignal processing function. A dedicated optical transmission interface(I/F) with which 4K signals can be transmitted is interposed between thecamera unit 71 and the camera control unit 72.

As described above, for structuring the 4K camera system (4K-SYSTEM) 70,the dedicated optical transmission interface (I/F) function with which4K signals can be transmitted and the camera control unit 72 includingthe function of processing 4K video signals become necessary.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structural example of a camera system(4K-Hybrid-SYSTEM) 10 as the embodiment. The camera system 10 includes a4K-resolution camera unit (4K_Camera) 11, a camera control unit (HD_CCU)12 for an HD-resolution camera unit, and an intermediate unit (4K-BPU:4K-Baseband Process Unit) 13.

The intermediate unit 13 includes a connect unit (first connect unit) 13a and a connect unit (second connect unit) 13 b. The camera control unit12 is connected to the connect unit 13 b of the intermediate unit 13 viaan optical camera cable 14 as the HD optical transmission path. Theoptical camera cable 14 is a complex cable incorporating a pair of fibercables, a power supply line, and two control lines and supportstransmission rates of, for example, 1.5 GHz, 3 GHz, and 3.7 GHz.

Further the camera unit 11 is connected to the connect unit 13 a of theintermediate unit 13 via an optical camera cable 15 as the 4K opticaltransmission path. As the optical camera cable 15, the HD optical cameracable described above can be used as it is. It should be noted thatoptical laser communication corresponding to large-scale data isperformed, and a transmission rate of, for example, 10 GHz or more isachieved.

In this case, the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 includes both theoptical transmission interface with respect to the 4K-resolution cameraunit (4K_Camera) and the optical transmission interface with respect tothe camera control unit for an HD-resolution camera unit (HD_CCU). As aresult, when seen from the camera unit (4K_Camera) 11 side, theconnection with the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 becomes the connectionwith the camera control unit for a 4K-resolution camera unit (4K_CCU).Moreover, when seen from the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 side, theconnection with the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 becomes the connectionwith the HD-resolution camera unit (HD_Camera).

Specifically, the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 establishes theconnection with the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 using a protocolinterface of the HD-resolution camera unit (HD_Camera). Further, theintermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 establishes the connection with the cameraunit (4K_Camera) 11 using a protocol interface of the camera controlunit for a 4K-resolution camera unit (4K_CCU).

As an interface function for various signals that does not depend on theformat of the camera unit, the function of the camera control unit(HD_CCU) 12 for an HD-resolution camera unit is used. In other words, inthe camera system 10, a structure corresponding to the camera controlunit for a 4K-resolution camera unit (4K_CCU) is realized by acombination of the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13 and the camera controlunit (HD_CCU) 12.

In the intermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13, an information bridge unit 13 c isinterposed between the connect unit 13 a and the connect unit 13 b. Theinformation bridge unit 13 c bridges information exchanged between thecamera unit (4K_Camera) 11 and the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12.

In this case, the information bridge unit 13 c has a video signalconverter that converts a 4K-resolution video signal into anHD-resolution video signal and a function with which an HD opticaltransmission interface can be structured and can behave as theHD-resolution camera unit (HD_Camera). Therefore, the intermediate unit(4K-BPU) 13 can be connected to the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 foran HD-resolution camera unit.

[Structural example of intermediate unit (4K-BPU)]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structural example of theintermediate unit (4K-BPU) 13. The intermediate unit 13 includes a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 101, a timing-generator 102, and acommunication-controller 103. The intermediate unit 13 also includes anoptical-transceiver 104, a 4K-transmission-decoder 105, and a4K-video-processor 106.

The intermediate unit 13 also includes a 4K/HD-converter 107, anHD-transmission-encoder 108, and an optical-transceiver 109. Theintermediate unit 13 also includes an HD-transmission-decoder 110 and a4K-transmission-encoder 111. The respective parts of the intermediateunit 13 described above constitute the information bridge unit 13 c.

The CPU 101 controls the respective parts of the intermediate unit 13.The timing-generator 102 generates various timing signals based ontiming signals extracted from signals transmitted from the cameracontrol unit 12 by an optical transmission, transmits the signals to therespective parts of the intermediate unit 13, and controls theprocessing timings of the parts. In other words, the intermediate unit13 is operated based on the timings by the timing signals extracted fromthe signals transmitted from the camera control unit 12 by an opticaltransmission.

The timing-generator 102 regenerates the timing signals to be opticallytransmitted to the camera unit 11 based on the timing signals extractedfrom the signals transmitted from the camera control unit 12 by anoptical transmission. In this case, in consideration of a delayrequisite for the 4K-resolution video signal processing in the4K-video-processor 106, the timing signals are regenerated such that aphase of the camera unit 11 becomes optimal.

The communication-controller 103 uses the control lines to control theoptical communication of the camera unit 11 and the camera control unit12 and the power supply from the camera control unit 12 to the cameraunit 11.

Even when the optical camera cable 15 on the camera unit 11 side is notconnected, the intermediate unit 13 outputs a 4K-resolution video signalsuch as a color bar (CB) signal. Therefore, since a reference lock withrespect to the camera control unit 12 side is necessary, there is a needto perform optical communication with the camera control unit 12 withoutsupplying power.

The communication-controller 103 mediates a power supply request fromthe camera unit 11 to the camera control unit 12 when the optical cameracable 15 on the camera unit 11 is connected. Specifically, in responseto the power supply request from the camera unit 11 transmitted via thecontrol line, the communication-controller 103 transmits the powersupply request to the camera control unit 12 via the control line of theoptical camera cable 14 on the camera control unit 12 side.

In the structure of the intermediate unit 13 shown in FIG. 3, theintermediate unit 13 has a structure in which a power supply from thecamera control unit 12 is supplied straight to the camera unit 11.However, a structure in which a power supply source for a 4K-resolutioncamera unit (4K_Camera) is incorporated into the intermediate unit 13 sothat power is supplied to the camera unit 11 from the power supplysource may also be used.

The optical-transceiver 104 performs optical communication with thecamera unit 11 connected via the optical camera cable 15. By the opticalcommunication, signals in a 4K transmission format including a videosignal and a camera control signal are exchanged with the camera unit11.

The 4K-transmission-decoder 105 carries out decode processing on the 4Ktransmission format signal received by the optical-transceiver 104 andacquires a signal (4K-video, Control, Intercom, etc.) transmitted fromthe camera unit 11. The 4K-transmission-encoder 111 carries out encodeprocessing on the signal (Return, Intercom, Control, etc.) received fromthe camera control unit 12 and generates a 4K transmission format signalto be transmitted.

The optical-transceiver 109 performs optical communication with thecamera control unit 12 connected via the optical camera cable 14. By theoptical communication, HD transmission format signals including a videosignal and a camera control signal are exchanged with the camera controlunit 12.

The HD-transmission-decoder 110 carries out decode processing on the HDtransmission format signal received by the optical-transceiver 109 andacquires a signal (Return, Intercom, Control, etc.) transmitted from thecamera control unit 12. The HD-transmission-encoder 108 carries outencode processing on the signal (Intercom, Control, etc.) received fromthe camera unit 11, the HD-resolution video signal generated by the4K/HD-converter 107, and the like and generates HD transmission formatsignals to be transmitted.

The 4K-video-processor 106 carries out necessary processing on the4K-resolution video signal (4K-Video) received from the camera unit 11,such as gain-up processing and gamma correction processing. Although notdescribed above, the intermediate unit 13 includes a video signal outputunit 13 d that outputs the processed 4K-resolution video signal tooutside of the apparatus. It should be noted that when the opticalcamera cable 15 on the camera unit 11 side is not connected, the4K-video-processor 106 outputs the 4K-resolution video signal such as acolor bar signal. The 4K/HD-converter 107 converts the 4K-resolutionvideo signal into an HD-resolution video signal.

The CPU 101 mediates communication related to camera control between thecamera unit 11 and the camera control unit 12. In this case, the CPU 101temporarily accepts a camera control signal (command) from the cameracontrol unit 12. Then, the CPU 101 replaces the signal by a controlsignal for the camera unit 11 as necessary and transmits it to thecamera unit 11. As a specific example, a command arrangement ofsplitting a command that needs to be performed in the intermediate unit13, for example, the 4K-video-processor 106, and a command that needs tobe performed on the camera unit 11 side is carried out.

An operation of the intermediate unit 13 shown in FIG. 3 will bedescribed. When connected to the camera control unit 12 via the opticalcamera cable 14, the HD-transmission-decoder 110 takes out a timingsignal embedded in the optical transmission signal from the cameracontrol unit 12 and supplies it to the timing-generator 102.

In the timing-generator 102, various timing signals are generated basedon the timing signal and transmitted to the respective parts of theintermediate unit 13 so that the processing timings of the respectiveparts are controlled. Accordingly, the intermediate unit 13 is put to astate where it is operated based on the timings of the timing signalstransmitted from the camera control unit 12 by an optical transmission.In this case, for example, an output phase of the 4K-resolution videosignal such as a color bar (CB) signal output from the4K-video-processor 106 is also locked with respect to the timing signaltransmitted from the camera control unit 12 by an optical transmission.

Next, when connected with the camera control unit 12 via the opticalcamera cable 15, a power supply request is transmitted to thecommunication-controller 103 from the camera unit 11 via the controlline in the optical camera cable 15. As a result, power is supplied fromthe camera control unit 12 to the camera unit 11 via the power supplyline of the optical camera cables 14 and 15.

Next, an information transmission operation from the camera control unit12 to the camera unit 11 side will be described. In theoptical-transceiver 109, an HD transmission format signal opticallytransmitted from the camera control unit 12 via the optical camera cable14 is received. The HD transmission format signal is supplied to theHD-transmission-decoder 110, and a signal (Return, Intercom, Control,etc.) transmitted from the camera control unit 12 is acquired. Here, theReturn signal is an HD-resolution video signal.

Of the signals acquired by the HD-transmission-decoder 110, the cameracontrol signal (Camera-Control) is supplied to the CPU 101, and othersignals are supplied to the 4K-transmission-encoder 111. The CPU 101splits the command that needs to be performed in the intermediate unit13 and the command that needs to be performed on the camera unit 11side.

Then, the command that needs to be performed on the camera unit 11 side(camera control signal) is supplied to the 4K-transmission-encoder 111.Further, the CPU 101 controls relevant processing such as gain-upprocessing and gamma correction processing in the 4K-video-processor 106based on the command that needs to be performed in the intermediate unit13.

The 4K-transmission-encoder 111 carries out encode processing on thesignals (Return, Intercom, Control, etc.) supplied from theHD-transmission-decoder 110 and the CPU 101 and generates 4Ktransmission format signals to be transmitted. In this case, a timingsignal regenerated by the timing-generator 102 is embedded in the 4Ktransmission format signal. In the timing-generator 102, inconsideration of a processing delay in the 4K-video-processor 106, thetiming signals are regenerated such that the phase of the camera unit 11becomes optimal.

The 4K transmission format signal generated by the4K-transmission-encoder 111 is supplied to the optical-transceiver 104.In the optical-transceiver 104, the 4K transmission format signal isoptically transmitted to the camera unit 11 via the optical camera cable15.

Next, an information transmission operation from the camera unit 11 tothe camera control unit 12 side will be described. Theoptical-transceiver 104 receives the 4K transmission format signaloptically transmitted from the camera unit 11 via the optical cameracable 15. The 4K transmission format signal is supplied to the4K-transmission-decoder 105, and a signal (4K-Video, Intercom, Control,etc.) transmitted from the camera unit 11 is acquired.

Of the signals acquired by the 4K-transmission-decoder 105, the4K-resolution video signal (4K-Video) is supplied to the4K-video-processor 106, the camera control (Camera-Control) signal(command response) is supplied to the CPU 101, and other signals aresupplied to the HD-transmission-encoder 108. The CPU 101 adds othercommand responses to the command response from the camera unit 11 asnecessary and supplies them to the HD-transmission-encoder 108.

The 4K-video-processor 106 carries out necessary processing such asgain-up processing and gamma correction processing on the 4K-resolutionvideo signal (4K-Video). Then, the processed 4K-resolution video signalis output to the video signal output unit 13 d and also to the4K/HD-converter 107. In the 4K/HD-converter 107, the 4K-resolution videosignal is converted into an HD-resolution video signal (HD-Video). TheHD-resolution video signal is supplied to the HD-transmission-encoder108.

The HD-transmission-encoder 108 carries out encode processing on thesignals (HD-Video, Intercom, Control, etc.) supplied from the4K-transmission-decoder 105, the CPU 101, and the 4K/HD-converter 107and generates HD transmission format signals to be transmitted. The HDtransmission format signals are supplied to the optical-transceiver 109.The optical-transceiver 109 optically transmits the HD transmissionformat signals to the camera control unit 12 via the optical cameracable 14.

In the camera system 10 described above, the intermediate unit (4K-BPU)13 is interposed between the 4K-resolution camera unit (4K_Camera) 11and the camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 for an HD-resolution cameraunit. With this structure, the camera unit 11 can be connected to thecamera control unit 12 for an HD-resolution camera unit to be used.

Therefore, for example, costs in introducing the 4K-resolution cameraunit 11 can be reduced. In other words, in introducing the 4K-resolutioncamera unit 11, a studio apparatus or mobile unit apparatus connected tothe camera control unit 12 for an HD-resolution camera unit can be usedas it is.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection example of the camera unit(Camera), the camera control unit (CCU), and the studio apparatus ormobile unit apparatus. The connection example shows an example of a casewhere two camera units are used. The camera units are operated whilebeing connected to the studio apparatus or mobile unit apparatus viacorresponding camera control units.

Various interfaces necessary for operating the camera unit arecollectively connected to the camera control unit. For simplifyinghandling of the camera unit, the camera control unit is incorporated inthe system. Therefore, in introducing the 4K-resolution camera unit 11,it is not easy to change the camera control unit into that for a4K-resolution camera unit, and restructuring of the entire systemincluding the studio apparatus or mobile unit apparatus becomesnecessary.

It should be noted that although only the main flows of a main videosignal and monitor video signal are shown in the connection example ofFIG. 4, system wirings exist for each of the following signal types inthe actual wirings.

-   -   Reference signal system    -   Return video system, prompter video system    -   Intercom system    -   MIC audio, program/audio system    -   Camera control system    -   TALLY system    -   Others, AUX-Data system

Further, in the camera system 10 described above, the camera controlunit 12 is for an HD-resolution camera unit. Therefore, for example, asindicated by the broken line of FIG. 5, by merely changing theconnection of the optical camera cable to an HD-resolution camera unit(HD_Camera) 16, the operation of the camera system (see FIG. 1A) as theHD-SYSTEM becomes possible.

Moreover, in the camera system 10 described above, the intermediate unit13 includes the 4K-video-processor 106 that processes the 4K-resolutionvideo signal transmitted from the camera unit 11. Therefore, forexample, a processing load of the video signals in the camera unit 11can be reduced, and the structure of the processing system can besimplified.

Further, in the camera system 10 described above, the video signaloutput unit 13 d that outputs the 4K-resolution video signal generatedby the 4K-video-processor 106 is provided. Therefore, similar to thecamera system 70 that uses the camera control unit for a 4K-resolutioncamera unit (4K_CCU) (see FIG. 1B), the 4K-resolution video signal(4K-Video) and the HD-resolution video signal (HD-Video) can beobtained.

Furthermore, in the camera system 10 described above, the CPU 101 in theintermediate unit 13 mediates a camera control signal communicatedbetween the camera unit 11 and the camera control unit 12. Therefore,for example, of the commands transmitted from the camera control unit,only necessary commands can be selected and sent to the camera controlunit 11. Further, the CPU 101 can accurately perform processing controlof a camera function unit that exists in the intermediate unit 13, whichis, for example, the 4K-video-processor 106.

Moreover, in the camera system 10 described above, thecommunication-controller 103 in the intermediate unit 13 mediates apower supply request from the camera unit 11 to the camera control unit12. Therefore, for example, in a state where the optical camera cable 15on the camera unit 11 side is not connected, a power supply at a highvoltage is not performed from the camera control unit 12 side throughthe power supply line, and thus an unexpected contingency such as anelectrification can be prevented from occurring.

2. Modified Example

It should be noted that the embodiment above has shown the example wherethe Return signal that the intermediate unit 13 transmits to the cameraunit 11 is an HD-resolution video signal. However, when there is a needto return the signal to the camera unit 11 in the form of a4K-resolution video signal, it is possible to incorporate anHD/4K-converter 121 as indicated by the broken line of FIG. 6 andprovide a video signal input unit 13 e for inputting a 4K-resolutionReturn video signal as necessary. With this structure, it becomespossible to transmit the 4K-resolution Return video signal to the cameraunit 11. Moreover, as indicated by the broken line of FIG. 6, a videosignal output unit 13 f for outputting an HD-resolution video signal(HD-Video) may be provided in the intermediate unit 13 as necessary.

Moreover, the embodiment above has shown the camera system 10 in whichthe 4K-resolution camera unit (4K_Camera) 11 is connected to theHD-resolution camera control unit (HD_CCU) 12 via the intermediate unit13. However, the present disclosure is also applicable to an HFR(High-Frame-Rate) camera system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structural example of a camera system(HFR-Hybrid-SYSTEM) 20. The camera system 20 includes an HFR camera unit(HFR_Camera) 21, a camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 for an NFR (NormalFrame Rate) camera unit of, for example, 60 Hz or 50 Hz, and anintermediate unit (HFR-BPU: HFR-Baseband Process Unit) 23.

The intermediate unit 23 includes a connect unit (first connect unit) 23a and a connect unit (second connect unit) 23 b. The camera control unit22 is connected to the connect unit 23 b of the intermediate unit 23 viaan optical camera cable 24 as an NFR optical transmission path. Further,the camera unit 21 is connected to the connect unit 23 a of theintermediate unit 23 via an optical camera cable 25 as an HFR opticaltransmission path.

In this case, the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 includes both anoptical transmission interface with respect to an HFR camera unit(HFR_Camera) and an optical transmission interface with respect to thecamera control unit for an NFR camera unit (NFR_CCU). Accordingly, whenseen from the camera unit (HFR_Camera) 21 side, the connection with theintermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 becomes a connection with the cameracontrol unit for an HFR camera unit (HFR_CCU). Moreover, when seen fromthe camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 side, the connection with theintermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 becomes a connection with the NFR cameraunit (NFR Camera).

In other words, the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 establishes theconnection with the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 using a protocolinterface of the NFR camera unit (NFR_Camera). The intermediate unit(HFR-BPU) 23 also establishes the connection with the camera unit(HFR_Camera) 21 using a protocol interface of the camera control unitfor an HFR camera unit (HFR_CCU).

As an interface function for various signals that does not depend on theformat of the camera unit, the function of the camera control unit(NFR_CCU) 22 for an NFR camera unit is used. In other words, in thecamera system 20, a structure corresponding to the camera control unitfor an HFR camera unit (HFR_CCU) is realized by a combination of theintermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 and the camera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22.

In the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23, an information bridge unit 23 cis interposed between the connect unit 23 a and the connect unit 23 b.The information bridge unit 23 c bridges information exchanged betweenthe camera unit (HFR_Camera) 21 and the camera control unit (NFR_CCU)22.

In this case, the information bridge unit 23 c has a video signalconverter that converts an HFR video signal into an NFR video signal anda function with which an NFR optical transmission interface can bestructured and can behave as the NFR camera unit (NFR_Camera).Therefore, the intermediate unit (HFR-BPU) 23 can be connected to thecamera control unit (NFR_CCU) 22 for an NFR camera unit.

The camera system 20 shown in FIG. 7 bears the same effect as the camerasystem 10 described above shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that thepresent disclosure is not limited to the structure of the camera system10 shown in FIG. 2 and the structure of the camera system 20 shown inFIG. 7 and can be generally applied to a case of connecting a cameraunit having a first resolution in a spatial or temporal direction to acamera control unit for a camera unit having a second resolution lowerthan the first resolution in the spatial or temporal direction.

Further, the present disclosure may also take the following structures.

(1) An intermediate unit, including:

a first connect unit for connecting a camera unit having a firstresolution in one of a spatial direction and a temporal direction;

a second connect unit for connecting a camera control unit for a cameraunit having a second resolution lower than the first resolution in oneof the spatial direction and the temporal direction; and

an information bridge unit that is interposed between the first connectunit and the second connect unit and configured to bridge informationexchanged between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

(2) The intermediate unit according to (1) above,

in which the information bridge unit converts a video signal of thefirst resolution input to the first connect unit from the camera unitinto a video signal of the second resolution and outputs the signal tothe second connect unit.

(3) The intermediate unit according to (2) above,

in which the information bridge unit carries out camera signalprocessing on the video signal of the first resolution before the videosignal of the first resolution input to the first connect unit from thecamera unit is converted into the video signal of the second resolution.

(4) The intermediate unit according to (3) above, further including

a video signal output unit configured to externally output the videosignal of the first resolution that has been subjected to the camerasignal processing by the information bridge unit.

(5) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (4),

in which the information bridge unit outputs a color bar signalcorresponding to the video signal of the first resolution in a statewhere the video signal of the first resolution is not supplied to thefirst connect unit from the camera unit.

(6) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (5),

in which the information bridge unit mediates a communication related tocameral control between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

(7) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (6),

in which the information bridge unit mediates a power supply requestfrom the camera unit to the camera control unit.

(8) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (7),

in which the information bridge unit extracts a timing signal from acamera control signal input to the second connect unit from the cameracontrol unit and controls processing timings of the units based on thetiming signal.

(9) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (8),

in which the first resolution is a 4K resolution, and the secondresolution is an HD resolution.

(10) The intermediate unit according to any one of (1) to (8),

in which the first resolution is a high frame rate resolution, and thesecond resolution is a normal frame rate resolution.

(11) A camera system, including:

a camera unit having a first resolution in one of a spatial directionand a temporal direction;

a camera control unit for a camera unit having a second resolution lowerthan the first resolution in one of the spatial direction and thetemporal direction; and

an intermediate unit interposed between the camera unit and the cameracontrol unit,

the intermediate unit including

-   -   a first connect unit for connecting the camera unit via a first        transmission path,    -   a second connect unit for connecting the camera control unit via        a second transmission path, and    -   an information bridge unit that is interposed between the first        connect unit and the second connect unit and bridges information        exchanged between the camera unit and the camera control unit.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An imaging system comprising: a firstcamera; and a first control device comprising: a first connect circuitryconfigured to receive a first video signal captured by the first camera,and output a first signal indicative of the first video signal; a secondconnect circuitry configured to receive a second signal from a secondcontrol device, and output a third signal based on the second signal; aninformation bridge circuitry coupled to the first connect circuitry andthe second connect circuitry, and the information bridge circuitry isconfigured to receive the first signal from the first connect circuitry,receive the third signal from the second connect circuitry, control anoperation of the first control device based on the third signal,generate a second video signal based on the first signal, and output a4K resolution video based on the first signal and a HD resolution videobased on the second video signal, wherein the 4K resolution video has a4K resolution in one of a spatial direction and a temporal direction andthe HD resolution video has a HD resolution in one of a spatialdirection and a temporal direction.
 2. The imaging system according toclaim 1, further comprising the second control device that is coupled toa second camera, and the second control device is configured to controlthe second camera.
 3. The imaging system according to claim 2, whereinthe second control device is further configured to output a second HDresolution video generated by the second camera.
 4. The imaging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the second connect circuitry is coupled tothe second control device by a cable.
 5. The imaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the information bridge circuitry is configured togenerate a timing signal based on the third signal, and control theoperation of the first control device based the timing signal.
 6. Theimaging system according to claim 5, wherein the information bridgecircuitry is configured to control a timing of an image processing ofthe first control device based on the timing signal.
 7. The imagingsystem according to claim 6, wherein the information bridge circuitry isconfigured to control a timing of the generation of the second videosignal based on the timing signal.
 8. The imaging system according toclaim 5, wherein the timing signal includes a delay for controlling theoutput of the first control device.
 9. The imaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the third signal includes a format signal, and whereinthe information bridge circuitry is configured to control a secondoperation of the first control device based the format signal.
 10. Theimaging system according to claim 9, wherein the information bridgecircuitry is configured to generate the second video signal based on thefirst signal and the format signal.
 11. The imaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the information bridge circuitry is configured tosupply electric power based on the third signal.
 12. An imagingprocessing device comprising: a first control device comprising: a firstconnect circuitry configured to receive a first video signal captured bya first camera, and output a first signal indicative of the first videosignal; a second connect circuitry configured to receive a second signalfrom a second control device, and output a third signal based on thesecond signal; an information bridge circuitry coupled to the firstconnect circuitry and the second connect circuitry, and the informationbridge circuitry is configured to receive the first signal from thefirst connect circuitry, receive the third signal from the secondconnect circuitry, control an operation of the first control devicebased on the third signal, generate a second video signal based on thefirst signal, and output a 4K resolution video based on the first signaland a HD resolution video based on the second video signal, wherein the4K resolution video has a 4K resolution in one of a spatial directionand a temporal direction and the HD resolution video has a HD resolutionin one of a spatial direction and a temporal direction.
 13. The imagingprocessing device according to claim 12, wherein the second controldevice is coupled a second camera and controls the second camera. 14.The imaging processing device according to claim 12, wherein theinformation bridge circuitry is configured to generate a timing signalbased on the third signal, and control the operation of the firstcontrol device based the timing signal.
 15. The imaging processingdevice according to claim 14, wherein the information bridge circuitryis configured to control a timing of an image processing of the firstcontrol device based on the timing signal.
 16. The imaging processingdevice according to claim 15, wherein the information bridge circuitryis configured to control a timing of the generation of the second videosignal based on the timing signal.
 17. The imaging processing deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein the timing signal includes a delay forcontrolling the output of the 4K resolution video and the HD resolutionvideo.
 18. The imaging processing device according to claim 12, whereinthe third signal includes a format signal, and wherein the informationbridge circuitry is configured to control a second operation of thefirst control device based the format signal.
 19. The imaging processingdevice according to claim 18, wherein the information bridge circuitryis configured to generate the second video signal based on the firstsignal and the format signal.
 20. An imaging processing systemcomprising: a first control device comprising: a first connect circuitryconfigured to receive a first video signal captured by a first camera,and output a first signal indicative of the first video signal; a secondconnect circuitry configured to receive a second signal from a secondcontrol device, and output a third signal based on the second signal; aninformation bridge circuitry coupled to the first connect circuitry andthe second connect circuitry, and the information bridge circuitry isconfigured to receive the first signal from the first connect circuitry,receive the third signal from the second connect circuitry, control anoperation of the first control device based on the third signal,generate a second video signal based on the first signal, and output afirst resolution video based on the first signal and a second resolutionvideo based on the second video signal, wherein the first resolutionvideo has a first resolution in one of a spatial direction and atemporal direction and the second resolution video has a secondresolution that is lower than the first resolution in one of a spatialdirection and a temporal direction.